Snowboarding: Shaun White withdraws from U.S. Championships
Associated Press
STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Vt. — Olympic gold medalist Shaun White has pulled out of the U.S. Snowboarding Championships with a severely sprained left ankle, ending his attempt for a fourth straight halfpipe title.
White, a heavy favorite to become only the second person to win four halfpipe titles, said in a statement that he injured the ankle while training in Colorado last week.
After working with a trainer this week and into Saturday morning, White said he decided to withdraw just hours before the competition was scheduled to begin.
He was not available for further comment.
The 22-year-old from Carlsbad, Calif., won Olympic gold in 2006, and is a favorite to make the U.S. team for the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
